Cannon Beach, OR
Various locations, June 23-25
Jeff White, First Snow, oil, 36 x 48.
This story was featured in the June 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art June 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Not every artist working en plein air is a painter. That was the philosophy held by members of the Cannon Beach Gallery Group when they started the annual Plein Air & More event nine years ago. Hosted in a town considered one of the most beautiful places in the world by National Geographic, the weekend event allows attendees to watch nearly 50 painters, sculptors, and craftsmen in action.
“Everyone in our art district wanted to participate, and many galleries offer more than just paintings,” says Bonnie Gilchrist, marketing director for the gallery group. Painters in all mediums, including oil, pastel, and watercolor, join sculptors working in bronze, stone, metal, wood, glass, and jewelry. The event is one of the largest held during the town’s off-season, with thousands of art collectors and enthusiasts attending each year.
On Friday, June 23, galleries host receptions from 5 to 8 p.m. to show off already-completed works by participating artists. Receptions continue at the same time on Saturday, June 24, before a raku firing demonstration by ceramic artists Dave and Boni Deal at sunset on the beach, along with live music and s’mores.
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- Michael Orwick, Hang On, oil, 48 x 36.
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- Dan Chen, Spring, bronze, 29 x 20 x 6.
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- Jeff White, First Snow, oil, 36 x 48.
Last year, the event featured a new event called the Artists’ Swarm, in which participants gather in the center of town to work. “Artists used to set up across the city, which got difficult when we were trying to guide people to see them,” Gilchrist says. “Last year was such a success because people were able to see all the artists in one place.” The Artists’ Swarm takes place Saturday afternoon, and all of the pieces created throughout the weekend are available for purchase. Those interested in pieces that are still being completed after the event can place them on hold through each artist’s gallery.
Gilchrist says the event is a wonderful opportunity for collectors and also for the artists themselves, who often gain new inspiration. “There have been a few painters who have now added sculpture to their repertoire, with some creating sculptures based on their own paintings,” she says. Several craftsmen, like glass artists and stone masons, cannot complete pieces on location, so they bring various tools to demonstrate their process. Artists Mike Rangner, Anton Pavlenko, Michael Orwick, and Hazel and Brand Schlesinger hold plein-air painting workshops throughout the weekend as well. —Mackenzie McCreary
contact information
www.cbgallerygroup.com
This story was featured in the June 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art June 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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